Universitätsbibliothek HeidelbergUniversitätsbibliothek Heidelberg
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Studio: international art — 45.1909

DOI Heft:
Nr. 187 (October 1908)
DOI Artikel:
Art school notes
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20965#0100

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Art School Notes

EMBROIDERED CUSHION DESIGNED AND EXECUTED BY ELISABETH HENTSCHKE
(Städtische Gewerbeschule, Stuttgart)

The Royal Female School of Art has an in-
teresting history, for it is directly descended from
the original School of Design at Somerset House,
which was the forerunner of all the Government
Schools of Art that exist now in every part of the
kingdom. When Queen Victoria ascended the
throne art schools for women were practically non-
existent, although Mr. Sass (the first teacher of
Millais) received a few girl pupils at his house in
Charlotte Street. The foundation of a class for
women at the School of Design was there-
fore the beginning of a new epoch. It was,
however, absurdly opposed by a section
of the public in the interests of propriety,
because members of both sexes would
work in the same building and might
perhaps meet on the stairs ! The class
for women survived the opposition of the
ultra-virtuous, only to meet with and to
overcome other and more serious dangers.

strance and an appeal to Par-
liament from Mrs. M’lan, the
mistress of the class. New
quarters were at length found
at 37 Gower Street, where
the women’s classes were es-
tablished, and, as the Female
School of Art, existed for
several years undisturbed.
In the autumn of 1859 Miss
Louisa Gann was appointed
head mistress, and two
months later the Lords of
the Committee of Council
on Education announced
that they would no longer
pay the rent and the local
expenses of the school.
Here was a crisis indeed ;
but Miss Gann, whose con-
nection with the Royal Female School of Art
was maintained until a year or two ago, proved
herself equal to the emergency. She appealed
to Qiieen Victoria and Prince Albert, to Mem-
bers of Parliament, to the Press, and to the
City Companies, and obtained moral or financial
support from all of them. A liberal subscription
was given by the Royal Academy, whose schools
had not at that time been thrown open to women
students; and a bazaar held at the South Kensing-

So long as William Dyce, R.A., con-
trolled the School of Design the women
students were fairly treated, but after he
left they were hustled out of their con-
venient apartments in Somerset House,
and banished to rooms above a soap-
maker’s on the opposite side of the
Strand. The only entrance was through
the soapmaker’s shop, and nearly all the
class-rooms had a south light, which
made working from casts and models
a matter of extreme difficulty. These
troubles called forth vehement remon-
78

EMBROIDERED CUSHION DESIGNED AND EXECUTED BY
OTTILIE HAAS

(Städtische Gewerbeschule, Stuttgart)
 
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